14. Veronica #3
“That’s why you change your look every month,” Gabe says, putting the pieces together.
I nod. “I didn’t have a choice. It was the only way for me to stay hidden without having to move nonstop. So, every month, I dye my hair a different color. I got tattoos and piercings. Everything to look different. I never even dressed like this until I ran away.”
“The other day, you told me it’s been over three years since you last saw him. How do you think he found you after so much time?” Noah questions with a furrowed brow.
“I’m not sure… the only thing that’s changed in the last months is you guys. Maybe he saw me on TV at one of your games or fell on a picture of me with the girls online. I don’t know.”
Gabe nods. “That must be it. Even if you aren’t directly in the spotlight.
There are tons of pictures of you with the team or the wives of players.
Cecilia was often in the headlines, and she has pictures of you on her Instagram, so does Emma.
If he somehow fell on those, it would be easy to narrow down where you are. ”
My head drops into my hands as I push the heels of my palms against my eyes. “Fuck. I got careless; that’s what happened, and now he’s found me…”
“We won’t let him get to you, Vixen. I promise.” Gabe takes my hand once more.
“Maybe you should think about staying here from now on, with us. Just until we figure out what to do. I don’t like knowing he’s out there following you around,” Noah offers.
“I don’t know. I don’t want to feel caged in again, like I can’t leave the house without being afraid. I’ve been going through years of therapy because of that. I feel like it would be taking a step back if I started hiding out here.” I shake my head.
“But I also don’t want to put the others in danger or make them a target.
I don’t know what he’s capable of exactly.
But if what that agent had told me was true, then it could get really bad…
” I chew on my lip, hating how weak I feel in this moment.
Hating that one sight of him made me turn back into the small little girl that I fought so hard to break free from.
“Kitten, you wouldn’t be caged in. We’d still let you do whatever you wanted.
But at least here, you’d have two people watching over you, two people who would have your back if anything happened.
Plus, this place is super secure; there’s no way he would get in here,” Noah says as he puts his hand on my thigh.
“Just think about it. But until then, we’ll continue to pick you up and drop you off when you work. And if you need to go shopping or whatever, I’d feel better if one of us stayed with you during those times. Just to make sure you’re safe.” He smiles tenderly.
“Okay,” I say softly.
As much as I hate feeling like I’m regressing, I’m happy to know I won’t be alone in this. Not like the first time. I know I can count on Gabe and Noah. I know I’ll be safe with them.
I sit back against the couch, closing my eyes for a moment with a deep sigh. Reliving those memories was painful, but it feels good to finally talk about it. I feel like a weight has been lifted off my chest.
“But wait, weren’t you studying at NYU not long ago? Wasn’t that risky, since you had to give all your documents and shit?” Gabe questions with furrowed brows. “Weren’t you afraid he’d find you like that?”
I shake my head and look at him. “I had fake documents made when I arrived here with my grandmother’s last name. Even my driver’s license says Veronica Sillienna. Aside from Aubrey and my therapist, you guys were the first ones I introduced myself to as Masters.”
“So Aubrey knows?” Noah frowns, not understanding since I told him no one knew about my past.
“No, but she saw my birth certificate in my car when we started hanging out. I told her it was my real last name but that I used my grandmother’s when signing up for school.
I guess I just knew I could trust her and that she wouldn’t tell anyone, so I wasn’t really worried about her knowing that little detail.
Although, I might have to fill her in now on everything after what she witnessed today. ” I sigh, closing my eyes once more.
“So… where are you really from?” Gabe questions.
I smile, keeping my eyes closed, despite the damper mood in the room. “Arizona.”
“Holy shit! You really didn’t mess around.” He stares at me with wide, impressed eyes when I finally peek at him.
“And your parents, have you talked or seen them since?” Noah squeezes my thigh lightly as I turn to look at him.
I shake my head. “I haven’t had any contact with my parents since they kicked me out. I can’t imagine what they’d think if they saw me now.” I laugh.
“You really look that different?” Gabe cocks a brow.
I hold my hand out. “Give me your phone.” He unlocks it and hands it over.
My eyes widen when I realize his wallpaper is a picture of me. I’m not sure when exactly he took this picture, but I’m sitting outside on one of the couches with a coffee mug in my hands, looking out at the birds eating from the bird feeder. It seems to be early in the morning.
When I turn to look at him, he squeezes the back of his neck and a pink hue forms over his cheeks. “Yeah, I forgot about that.” He chuckles.
I let it be for now, unsure how to react to this new information. I tap into his Facebook and search myself up. I might not have any social media accounts now, but I have an old account on there that’s still activated. I find it within seconds and pull up the images, passing it back to Gabe.